Illinois rules and regulations

What are the legal size limits on a cast net? Not larger than 8 feet in diameter (4 foot radius) and having a mesh size not larger than 3/8 inch bar measurement

What are the legal size limits on a minnow seine? Not longer than 20 feet in length, deeper than 6 feet or having a mesh size of 1/2 inch bar measurement

What are the legal size limits on a minnow trap? Not more than 36 inches long, 24 inches wide and with mesh no larger than 1/2 inch bar measurement. The entrance openings can be no wider than 1 1/2 inches in diameter. They can be made out of metal screen or hardware cloth, plastic or nylon mesh or netting.

What are the legal size limits on a dip net? On waters other than Lake Michigan, the limits are 15 feet in diameter and a mesh size of no less than 1 1/2 inches bar measurement. Dip nets cannot be used withing 100 feet of a dam, and may be used to take carp, carpsucker, buffalo and gizzard shad.

Are bluegills legal for bait? Yes, provided they are taken in a legal manner. You must observe all size and creel limits where they are taken and also where they are used as bait. It is also illegal to cut up bluegills on any body of water where there is a size limit for bluegills.

Can you catch bluegills in one body of water and transport them to another body of water to use as bait? Yes, as long as you follow all size and creel limits on both bodies of water.

Can mussels be used for bait? A sport fishing license does not entitle any persons to take and/or posess mussels.

How can crayfish be caught? Cast nets, shad scoops, minnow seines and traps. Traps may not be more than 36 inches long, 24 inches wide and with mesh no larger than 1/2 inch bar measurement. The entrance openings can be no wider than 1 1/2 inches in diameter.

Minnows can be taken by cast net, seine or minnow trap. What is a minnow? A minnow is defined as any fish of the minnow family (Cyprinidae) except carp and goldfish. The species that can be legally taken include shiners and chubs.

What is a quick set rig? On certain lakes, when using live bait in excess of 8 inches in total length, it must be rigged with a quick set rig. The hook shall be set immediately upon the strike. A quick set rig is defined as a live bait rig with up to 2 treble hooks attached anywhere on the live bait, single hooks are prohibited. This rule does not apply to trotlines, juglines etc....if allowed on the lake. Some of the lakes that require a quick set rig are:
Argyle lake, Banner Marsh, Canton lake, Double "T" , Evergreen lake, Forbes state lake, Fox chain of lakes, Hennipin-Hopper lakes
Jim Edgar/Panther creek, Johnson Sauk Trail lake and pond, Kinkaid lake, Lake carlton, Lake George, Lake Mingo and Kennekuk cove park ponds, Lake of the Woods and Elk ponds, Lake Storey, Lake Sule, Mill Creek lake, Otter lake, Pana lake, Pierce lake, Shabbona lake, Snakeden Hollow, Spring lake, Staunton City lake and Sterling lake.

Can gamefish be trapped or netted? No, they can only be caught on a hook.

Can gamefish be used as bait? Yes. Provided you follow all the size and creel limits. And on a body of water with size limits, they cannot be used as cut bait, they must be fished whole so you can prove you are following the length limits. And you have to follow the creel and size limits where you catch them, and also where you use them as bait. In a nutshell, if you catch 10 crappie on Lake A where there is a 10 crappie limit, and transport them to fish as bait on Lake B and they have a 5 crappie limit, you can only have 5 crappie with you even though you caught them elsewhere where the limit was higher. You have to follow all the laws just as if you were going to keep the fish to eat. Note ** In streams and tributaries statewide except for the Mississippi, Ohio, Wabash and Illinois rivers, all smallmouth bass must be immediately released between April 1st and June 15th. So if you are going to use smallmouth for live bait, don't do it during these dates unless you are on the specified rivers.

Are limblines legal in Illinois? No, limblines are illegal

Are yo-yo's legal in Illinois? Yes, but they can't be attached to a limb, which would make them a limbline.

How many rods can I legally use? A lot of the lakes ( and maybe a river or two in certain spots) in Illinois have site specific regulations that are listed at the site and also in the Illinois Fishing Information booklet available for free at most Wal-marts in the sporting goods section. If it is listed in the booklet, or is designated at the lake, it is usually a 2 rod limit with 2 hooks per rod and line fishing only, meaning no jugs or trotlines. If it isn't listed in the booklet or designated at the site (usually at the entrance, site office or boat ramps) then you are held to a 50 hook limit. You can have up to 50 rods, or run a 25 hook trotline, set out 20 jugs and fish 5 rods as long as you don't go over the 50 hook limit. The rules state "two untagged sport fishing devices are allowed; each device in excess of two must be tagged with the anglers name and address. Any unattended devices (like minnow traps)used to catch or hold aquatic life is required to have the anglers name and address clearly displayed on the device." I have my name and address on the handles of all my fishing rods just to be safe.

Here's a copy of the email I sent to the DNR about using gamefish for bait, and their response. If anyone has a question for them, they can be contacted at DOFFICER@dnrmail.state.il.us
They usually get back to you by the next day, but it can take as long as 3 days.
Rat

>>> "Andy" ***********@mchsi.com> 3/22/06 2:31 PM >>>
If you follow all creel and length limits and legally catch them, can
you use crappie, smallmouth etc (gamefish) as a baitfish in Illinois?
Thank-you.
Andy Sipes

Yes, but they could not be cut up and used on a lake with a size limit.

An important rule if you drift out of a boat, (which would be considered trolling), you can only have 3 poles per person except in lakes with 2 pole limits. Pleae correct mr if I am wrong but I am fairly sure I am correct.